Nadia's POVThree days after Margaret finally left and her words still clung to me like smoke in my hair. Dylan was trying to reconnect and I saw the effort in every gesture. He brought me coffee in the mornings, he tried to start conversations, and he reached for my hand when we passed in the hallway. But every time he touched me, my body betrayed me.His hand on my back made me flinch. His arm around my shoulders made me go rigid. When he leaned in for a kiss, I pulled away so fast I saw hurt flash across his face. I kept apologizing but the words felt empty because I could not stop my body's reaction."I am sorry," I said it for the hundredth time that week. "I do not mean to.""I know." Dylan's voice was patient but I heard the strain underneath. "Take your time."One evening after all three kids were finally asleep, Dylan found me on the couch staring at nothing. He sat down carefully and left space between us like I was a wild animal that might bolt."Can we try something?" His
Last Updated : 2025-12-29 Read more